Lt. Gov Race Too Close To Call

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ A three-way Republican primary for lieutenant governor was too close to call a winner on Tuesday night.

Groton Town Council member Heather Somers held a slight lead over state Rep. Penny Bacchiochi, the party’s endorsed candidate, according to unofficial results. Behind them was former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker. The winner will join gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley on the GOP ticket in November.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting and about 76,400 votes tallied, Somers had 26,228 and Bacchiochi had 25,726. Walker had 24,429.

An automatic recount is ordered if the vote-getters are within 1,000 votes or a half-percentage point of all votes cast, a spokesman for the office of the secretary of the state said. Municipalities have until 6 p.m. Wednesday to report final vote totals, he said.

State Republican Party Chairman Jerry Labriola Jr. said he had hoped the ticket would be resolved Tuesday but that may not be possible.

“Nevertheless, we will be united as a party, and we’re going to close ranks very, very quickly,” he said.

Bacchiochi received the endorsement of the state Republicans at their convention in May. She has weathered criticism from Somers, who has taken issue with Bacchiochi’s support for the medical use of marijuana among other issues.